theinbetweenismine

just a girl living the expat life

Archives for December 2017

December Favorites

filed under: monthly favorites

1. I really, really love the Amazon Fire 8 HD that I bought on Black Friday because I couldn’t pass up the good deal… it’s been really fun to have a functioning e-reader again and the extra functionality of being able to go online real quick or check Instagram or Facebook is really awesome. I am so happy with this purchase!

2. One of the few makeup items I swear by is a little bit of blush (to not make me look so pale and sickly, especially in the winter months – haha!). I love this Sephora blush (Color 1: Shame on you) and have purchased it repeatedly (although it does last me quite a while!).

3. One of my favorite things of December is all the Christmas mail that arrives. It truly makes the holidays that much better every year to send and receive cards from my friends and family around the world! (Thank you again to everyone who thought of us this holiday season!).

4. I think I mentioned before that it’s not Christmas without Thin Mints for me. These Choceur Mints are the Aldi-version of After Eights and they’re just as good. My Mom sent them to me because she knows I love them for Christmas!

5. These Dansko booties. Aren’t they pretty? They were expensive and J didn’t like the style very much, so I didn’t buy them… but if they ever come on sale and I am still “in love” with them, they’ll be mine :) (This is usually my rule when I want to buy anything more than maybe $50. I hardly ever buy anything on a whim, but if I still think about it a few weeks later, then I will go back and buy it – hoping that it hasn’t been sold out until then. Ha.)

6. I’ve been eating a ton of mandarins this month, not the least because it was the only thing I could actually “taste” when I was sick over Christmas. And of course the extra vitamin C couldn’t hurt! 

7. I love this calendar that I received from my cousin + his girlfriend for Christmas with some of the best photos of our road trip in September! Can’t wait to “relive” the memories throughout the next year!

I am a little behind on posting my ‘end-of-the-month (and -year!)’ posts, but I hope you won’t mind seeing some more in early January of 2018!

Year of running 2017

filed under: linkup, running

Eat Pray Run DC As this year is coming to a close, I am linking up with Courtney from eatprayrundc.com to take a look back at my year of running. Courtney hosts this link-up annually and it is open through January, 1, so go and check out everyone else’s year of running!

I love looking back at the end of the year to see what I did throughout the year.  So here it goes. I ran…

766 total miles (not quite what I had set out for, but at least I beat last year’s mileage. That’s always a win!)
3 officially timed races – 2 Half Marathons, one 10k,
7 virtual races ( four 10ks, three 5ks),
1 DNS,
2 new PRs.

It was a great year for me with only a couple of minor injuries and lots of fun logging miles! I have been able to run constistently and with a plan throughout the year and was able to incorporate more cross and strength training into my routine. I ran two halfmarathons this year (San Francisco and Napa), won a local 10k, and participated in quite a few “virtual races” for good causes this year and it felt good logging miles and at the same time donating to desaster relief efforts and other good causes.

Best race experience:  The 1st SF half marathon over the Golden Gate Bridge. I had hoped to beat my PR from the previous year, but that was probably a bit too much wishful thinking as everybody knows that San Francisco is hilly and probably not the best place to attempt a PR. It was still one of the greatest races I’ve run to date, because the race course (along the Embarcadero, the piers, the marina and over the Golden Gate Bridge) was simply amazing and the miles just flew by!

Best run: That one 10k Sunday morning park run where I ran a < 9 min mile and it felt easy :)

Best new piece of running gear: Probably my new Brooks shoes (I got a pair of Ravennas and Launchs this year – love both!)

Best running advice you’ve received this year: Focus on beating yesterday. It doesn’t matter what other people around you are doing, how fast they are, how many cross training sessions they fit into their week. All you can do is work with your own circumstances and abilities. As long as you keep chipping away at that goal to be the best version of yourself, everything else will fall in place.

Most inspirational runner: Of course, seeing Shalane Flanagan win the NYC marathon was amazing, but honestly I’m much, much more inspired by other runners who might not be the fastest or run the longest distances, but who keep putting themselves out there. My cousin and his girlfriend ran their first race this year and this is always a big milestone and super-inspiring to see new runners finish their first race!

Favorite picture from a run or race this year: This was from the Napa Halfmarathon, which I ran without any goal in mind. I think you can tell. I love to finally have a race photo where I am smiling and don’t look like I am dying… haha. Also, note to self: sometimes when you’re not even trying, you will get that shiny new PR. 

Race experience you would repeat in a heartbeat: San Francisco. I know, I don’t have too many “big races” to choose from yet, but this one will always have a special place in my heart. I ran my first half marathon in San Francisco and the views are just amazing and unforgettable.

If you could sum up your year in a couple of words what would they be? Keeping it up! I am still amazed that I’ve become a regular, recreational runner who actually looks forward to getting out there every weekend. I never thought that would be me!

Thanks for all the support this year. 

How was your year of running?
What ‘s the best running adviced you received?

 

Currently | December

filed under: currently, Thinking out loud

relieved that we were not traveling for Christmas. It’s always crazy to travel around the holidays and I am trying to be thankful for the fact that we weren’t affected by the madness. But then again, I am…

wishing  that we would have traveled for Christmas, because I really would have loved to spend the holidays with family and friends.

bummed that I ended up being quite sick over the holiday weekend and that we had to cancel all our plans. We had planned to spend Christmas day with our friends in the Bay Area, but that was not in the cards. I think I haven’t been that sick in a long time. I slept for like 4 days straight. Luckily, I’ve started to feel like a human being again yesterday.

thrilled that I got to see and hug my dear friend Cathy (from Sydney) again. She was stopping over in Las Vegas on her way home to Australia after a 4 weeks vacation on the East Coast and I took a quick flight down there to hug her. We also had our first “sleep over” where we lay in bed in our pj’s and talked until 4 in the morning. If you had told me back when we started out as penpals when we were teeenagers that we’d have the opportunity to hang out and have some quality time together like that when we’re 40, I probably would have thought you were out of your mind. I think that might have been my biggest and most precious Christmas present this year.

hoping for some good news from my bff at home. I officially cancelled all my Christmas wishes, because all all I want for Christmas is to know that she’s going to be ok.

eating Halloween candy. Does that last until Christmas in your house? Haha.

drinking mug after mug after mug of tea. I hate how when you have a cold, you’re losing all your taste buds and nothing tastes good. I didn’t have coffee for a week (which should tell you something!), but I can’t wait to try this coffee that my friend Marie sent me from DC.

thankful for all the friends that sent Christmas cards and little packages in the mail this holiday season. It really made the holidays that much sweeter!

watching all the Christmas movies. I am trying to fit in as many as humanly possible this holiday season.  So far I crossed Home Alone 2, National Lampoon’s Christmas, A Christmas Story, Elf and Love, the Coopers off my list. Many, many more to go.

reading This is where it ends by Marieke Nijkamp.

enjoying wrapping up the few Christmas gifts that I have to wrap this year. You must know that wrapping gifts and putting together little packages is probably one of my most favorite things to do around the holiday season, but with postage costing a fortune, I ended up purchasing a lot of gifts online (esp. for my overseas peeps)… which saves on postage (and custom fees and the worry that it might not arrive), but also deprives me of the gift wrapping part.

excited to try my hand at bullet journaling next year. I’ve officially decided to ditch my beloved Inkwell Press Planner for 2018 and try something new. Stay tuned for more on this little adventure. (Also, do you bullet journal? I need your ideas, thoughts, suggestions!)

I am also linking up again with Amanda from Running with Spoons for Thinking out Loud 

Secret Santa Mug Swap 2017 Reveal

filed under: good things, holidays, SecretSantaMugSwap

I am so excited to finally reveal the mugs that were exchanged this year for the second annual Secret Santa Mug Swap! This is the second year I’ve hosted the swap and I am so thrilled that so many of you were excited to participate. There were a total of 15 participants this year (including myself!) It’s been a real pleasure to host again and to see so many people join in the holiday swap fun!

I am also thrilled that everybody got their mugs in time to share.

Lora, who blogs at https://crazyrunninggirl.com, had the honors to send a mug to me. She seems to be a real mug-loving soul sister, as she couldn’t decide on just one mug, so she ended up sending me TWO! How awesome is that?!

Let me just say: I understand!

Both mugs are equally awesome and both from her home turf, Minneapolis! Take a look! I love, love, love them!

There is this holiday mug with the penguin and its Christmassy glasses from Caribou Coffee!

And then there is this black mug with the Minneapolis abbreviation! Beautiful! Thank you so much, Lora. I can’t wait to put these mugs to use!

Here are the other mugs that were swapped this year. Thanks so much for being such amazing swap buddies and for sending stuff on time and making sure that everybody got a sweet treat in the mail this holiday season! You’re all awesome!

Lauren / Kathrin / Penny / 
Rachel / San / Stefanie / Tanja /
Lora / Rachel / Erin / Beth /
Kristen / Meg / Kate / Kathrin /

I tagged the recipients of these mugs in the caption, not the sender. Maybe you’ll find a new blog or a new Instagram account you’ll like to follow along.

Thanks again for signing up and making this year’s Secret Santa Mug Swap such a success. 

December Link Love

filed under: link love

Hey guys, here’s my December round-up of noteworthy links that I found on the Internet. Enjoy!

Around the Interwebs

Why the 8-hour work day doesn’t work (anymore). Thought-provoking.

Scary to think how hard it is to change someone’s mind when you feel like you’re a pretty open person. The infuriating psychology of white women voting for Roy Moore.

I need to get one of those medal hangers.

How to treat yourself without spending money or eating junk. Love this.

When being in crowded places feels scarier than ever.

Holiday Magic is made by women. And it’s killing us. It’s true that the holidays can get extra stressful for women, because we are expected to do more of the organizing. I still enjoy it.

Productivity is really about what you don’t do.

What the end of net neutrality means for you.

 
Around the blogosphere

Great read by my blog friend Courtney: Why women are morbid.

The joy of a slow and simple Christmas.

I love these 60+ Minimalist Holiday Traditions. Do you have a tradition?

 
Craftiness

Looking for some Christmas printables?

Christmas morning pancakes in a jar are a great last minute DIY Christmas present.

Crazy cheap gift wrapping ideas.

DIY gold leaf star ornament.

 
Deliciousness

I am making these cinnamon candied almonds for my coworkers. I hope they turn out as good as they sound.

These apple-cinnamon oatmeal bars sound delicious!

I haven’t baked any Christmas cookies this year, but I’d love to try these.

If you’re still thinking about a dessert for your Christmas dinner, might I suggest these honey-graham-hasselback-apples?

One Pan Creamy Tortellini with Butternut Squash Kale and Bacon. Enough said.

 

Share a good link with me in the comments!

Thinking Out Loud #12

filed under: Thinking out loud

Time to link up again with Amanda from Running with Spoons for Thinking out Loud for some random thoughts and things that are going on in my world right now.

+ As you probably know, Southern California is on fire. Badly impacted is the area where my husband J is from (and where my in-laws still live) in Ventura County. It’s hard to think about the hillside behind the city and imagine it to be completely burned. Ojai, where J went to highschool, has been mostly spared, but it’s completely surrounded by the fire (see map) and it’s terrifying.

As of today, the fire is only 20% contained and still spreading. It has already burned more than 365 square miles.  I signed up for a virtual run #runforventura to help with the relief efforts and I encourage you to join me.


© Cal Fire 

+ I just read on Twitter (via The Verge) that Instagram tests adding posts that your friends like into your feed. Like, if the stupid algorithm isn’t enough, they now want to put stuff in your that you’re not even subscribed too (let alone the sponsored posts, which we had to just accept as well). I really only have two words for you, Instagram: Just no.

+ I got some not-so-good news from my bff yesterday and I am in a state of anxiety right now. I hope to find out more soon, but until then, please send all the positive vibes that you can spare. I’ll love your for it forever.

+ I can’t believe Christmas is only 10 days away. It’s weird to not be “off” between Christmas and New Year’s, as I will be working (to save vacation time). I think all my coworkers are taking the week off and we’ve already been warned that our office building might be cold (because campus always forgets that we’re ‘open’ over Christmas break, while the rest of the campus is closed). I guess I’ll be taking my fingerless gloves and a thermos with hot tea. Better to be safe than sorry. (Are you off between Christmas and New Year’s? Wait, don’t tell me.)

+ I am having a bit of Christmas blues this year. I think the fact that this will be our 4th Christmas not celebrating with family in Germany is wearing on me. I am usually super-enthusiastic about the holidays and I am still enjoying this season, don’t get me wrong, but it’s just not as exciting to be home alone with J as it is gathering with family. Are you seeing family for the holidays or are you home alone like us?

+ I cannot believe Doug Jones won the senate race in Alabama on Tuesday. I know, it’s pretty sad to say that I expected an alleged child molester to win, but the bar has been set pretty low in the last year, to be quite honest. I was almost emotional when I saw Jones’s numbers creep up and then surpass Moore’s on the TV screen last night. What a victory! However, if you’re white woman in the South, I have to have to have a serious word with you.

What’s a random thought on your mind today?

7 not-so-commonly known Christmas movies

filed under: holidays, lists!

Do you love Christmas movies as much as I do? How many do you try to watch during the holiday season? I am a big, big fan of Christmas movies and I don’t really discriminate. I watch them all: the classics, the silly ones, the romantic ones and the family dramas. Every year, I (try to) watch a long list of all my favorites and then also try to seek out one or two that are not-so-commonly known (or at least new to me!). 

I thought I was going to share with you seven of the movies that I have come across in recent years that might not be on everybody’s radar for the holiday season. As you will be able to tell, I have a thing for Christmas movies with a cast of celebrity actors and actresses, I guess. 

1. A merry friggin’ Christmas (2014) with Robin Williams, Joel McHale and Lauren Graham.
This must have been one of Robin Williams’s last movies and I love his grumpy self in this movie.  The movie might not be that well known because apparently it wasn’t well received by many people, but I can’t say the same for me.  I enjoyed it and will watch it again.

2. A Fitzgerald Family Christmas (2012) with Edward Burns and Connie Britton.
Gerry, one of 5 siblings, is the only one who’s trying hard to get an enstranged father and his slightly dysfunctional rest of the family together for Christmas. 

3. Four Christmases (2008) with Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn.
Brad and Kate have to deal with all four of their divorced parents (and new family settings) for the holidays, which turns out to be a real relationship test for them.

4. Joyeux Noël (2005) with Benno Führmann, Diane Krüger, Daniel Brühl. 
This movie is based on the Christmas truce (a series of widespread but unofficial ceasefires along the Western Front of World War I) of December 1914, depicted through the eyes of French, British, and German soldiers. It’s an anti-war movie, so it’s hard to watch at times, but it’s very well done and demonstrates the absurdity of war.

5. Noel (2004) with Paul Walker, Penelope Cruz and Susan Sarandon.
This movie is set in New York (which already awards at least 3 stars for a holiday movie right of the bat) and tells the story of five strangers who are linked together – and who meet each other at separate times – by a series of events that take place on Christmas Eve. The perfect story of how our lives are all intertwined in weird ways.

6. While you were sleeping (1995) with Sandra Bullock and  Bill Pullman
You might not think of this as a classic Christmas movie, but it is set during a snowy Christmas in Chicago and it’s about love and family and forgiveness around Christmas. If that is not Christmas movie material, I don’t know what is. 

7. Love the Coopers (2015) with Diane Keaton, John Goodman, Steve Martin.
I have to admit I haven’t seen this one yet, but I pretty much love all Diane Keaton-movies, so I am pretty sure I am going to love this one! It’s also a multi-generational family drama set around the holidays and I guess I am always secretly hoping that there is a happy end. I am so sappy when it comes to Christmas movies, I want all the feelings and happy endings. Can’t wait to watch it.

What is one of the movies you like to watch for the holidays that is not one of the widely known Christmas movies? Maybe you have a new suggestion for me!

A wish list

filed under: holidays, lists!, love

Do you love or hate the holiday gift guides that are popping up all over the Internet this time of year? I personally don’t have anything against some gift inspirations and I enjoy these posts quite a bit. Sometimes I even find something that I would actually gift someone for Christmas, believe it or not.

I’ve never officially done a Holiday Gift Guide on this blog before, but I have shared Christmas wish lists in the past and I thought I’d do that again this year. You never know if that might also be gift inspiration for others. I came up with a list of (mostly) inexpensive things that I think would make great holiday gifts AND which I wouldn’t mind finding under my tree this holiday season. Of course, those are all really just “would-love-to-have” items.

Christmas is by no means all about the gifts (although it might often seem that way), and I feel that the most important thing about the holidays is spending time with family and friends (if that’s possible), but I personally also love the gift-giving. I wish I was someone who would completely forego the Christmas shopping madness, but I also have to admit that I love shopping for small gifts for my family and friends around this time of year and I equally enjoy putting a little wish list together for myself. Although for me, it is more about the gesture and thoughtfulness behind the gift than the actual monetary value.

My biggest wish – as always – would be to go home for the holidays, but since this won’t be happening (for the fourth year in a row – womp, womp!), I am going to fill my holiday season with all the holiday cheer I can get my hands on. Sharing a little wishlist of pretty (and functional!) things that would be lovely to have is one way to do this. A little dreaming has never hurt anyone, am I right?

1. Ello Mesa Ceramic Tumbler // 2. Medal Board// 3. Leuchtturm 1917 Journal //
4.  IVVIC Long Sleeve Shirt // 5. Thomtery Gym Bag // 6. Enamel Moomin mug //
7. portable Bluetooth keyboard // 8. Flipbelt // 9. Oiselle Flyte Full Zip Running Jacket // 10. Unicorn USB flash drive // 11. Milestone Pod // 12. Karma T-Shirt // 13. Hydro Flask

As you can see, there is a bit of a theme to my wish list this year… lots of running-related items. How did that happen? Mmmh…

1. I am sure you agree that coffee (or tea) just taste better out of a ceramic mug. That has been the only criticism I have of travel mugs, because even stainless steel makes the coffee taste different. That’s why I am super-intrigued by this Ello Mesa 14-Ounce Ceramic Tumbler with Lid, and it’s pretty, too.

2. I have enough medals by now that they warrant their own medal board. I love this wooden one that I found on Etsy. 

3. I might be venturing out in 2018 and try my hand at bullet journaling (instead of buying an expensive planner) and quite a few people have recommended the Leuchtturm 1917 Journal and I think that might work.

4. I am always looking for long-sleeve shirts with thumb holes (aren’t they the most comfortable?) and I came across this  IVVIC Gradient color Long Sleeve Shirt on Amazon and I think it’s so pretty.

5. I’ve been looking for a new gym bag. The one that I have is getting kinda old (I had that one for 25 years – gasp!) and I found this Thomtery Gym Bag with Shoes Compartment. What I like about it is that it functions as a gym bag but can also be worn as a backpack (for travel). It has a shoe compartment (very important to me!) and that it has a zippered flap that makes it easier to access the contents in the bag (rather than just a zipper across the top).

6. I know, I know, I really don’t need another mug, but I’ve been eyeing this Enamel Moomin mug like forever. Don’t you love the Moomins? 

7. Now that I own a Fire HD 8 tablet, I am in accessory-mode. I’d love a small portable Bluetooth keyboard to take on the road for short trips. How perfect would that be?

8. I own an Amphipod running belt, but I’ve heard so many good things about the Flipbelt (and it looks like it would be less bulky and stay in place better than the Amphipod belt.

9. I think I’ve wanted this Oiselle Flyte Full Zip Running Jacket since the first time I saw it on someone on Instagram. It just looks so cozy and comfy. I love the color too. I just haven’t shelled out the money for more expensive running clothing like that.

10. OMG, how cute is this Unicorn USB flash drive?

11. As I mentioned before, I am a statistics nerd and I’ve heard from a few people that they love the feedback that the Milestone Pod provides You clip it on your running shoe and it tells you about your foot strike, cadence, stride length, leg swing, rate of impact and ground contact time. Pretty sweet. I wouldn’t mind adding this to my list of gadgets.

12. This Karma T-Shirt is just the coolest. Enough said.

13. I am thinking that I probably should at some point invest in a decent hydration bottle. As of right now, I am using a plastic bottle (that I got in a swag bag) at the gym and I have a small hand-held Nathan bottle that I sometimes take on my long runs, but I really would like to get a Hydro Flask.

So there you have it, my wish list. Not really things that I desperately need, but this is what wish lists are for, right?

What’s on your wish list?

What I read in November

filed under: books

November was busy and I still have a hard time prioritizing what I do with my limited free time, but I managed to read 3 books this month. Well, actually 3.5, but I’m pulling the 4th book into December because I haven’t finished it yet. I enjoyed all three books, two of which were YA novels,  a lot, which was great because I hate reading so “little” and then possibly not even liking the books, but that was definitely not the case in November.

The Art of Racing in Rain by Garth Stein (★★★★★)

This book randomly popped up as available through the library and I was a bit wary if I was going to like it. A story told from the perspective of a dog? Mhm, I was skeptical, to say the least. But you know what? It totally worked. It wasn’t necessarily the fact of the story being told from a dog’s perspective that made it so amazing but having the story told from the perspective of someone who longs to fix things and can’t. Stein did a great job of making this heart-wrenching story meaningful and through all the characters there is one common thread: perseverance. Believing in oneself and never giving up. I won’t give away the ending but I thought the story was wrapped up so beautifully! Definitely, a surprisingly great book that deserved 5 stars.

The Names They Gave Us by Emery Lord (★★★★☆)

I really didn’t think I would connect with this story because I usually shy away from stories focused on religion, and on top of that, it’s a YA novel (which are not my favorite genre), but I have to admit that I enjoyed this book a lot more than anticipated. This story was beautifully told, I enjoyed the relationship that Lucy, the main character, forms at summer camp, and her own struggle with faith, her mom’s illness, and family secrets that change things forever. Heartbreaking and powerful. 

Everything, everything by Nicola Yoon (★★★★☆)

I have to admit that I rolled my eyes through this book quite a bit because there were just so many things that were so unrealistic and just ‘didn’t make sense’ to me. Teenage Madeline, who is allergic to the world and has grown up indoors, falls in love with Olly, the boy who moves in next door, and figures out a way to communicate with him. The story takes some really unexpected twists and turns and I kept thinking to myself “really?”. I ended up giving 4 stars because the book redeemed itself in the end, but there were definitely parts where I wanted to quit.

What was your favorite book last month? Leave a comment, and then add me on Goodreads to keep in touch.

Hello December

filed under: about me, holidays

Wow, and just like that, it’s December, month of all the holiday cheer, sparkling lights, candles, baking and coziness, and the last month of the year. I am thrilled and terrified at the same time. December is always a bit bitter-sweet, isn’t it?

On one hand, I really enjoy and embrace the holidays, but on the other hand, another year is coming to an end and that always leaves me with all kinds of reflective thoughts and feelings and a little bit of anxiety of what lies ahead. I am not sure why people (aka me) always have to THINK so much.

 

Things I am looking forward to this month:

★ Getting my holiday cards sent out. Sending out Christmas cards might be my most favorite thing about the holidays. I love sending a sweet note to people at the end of the year and I love getting snail mail. I love the process of and look forward to it all year.

★ Sending out some gifts. I always think that I’d like to celebrate Christmas without the gift-giving, but then again, I really like to buy small gifts for people for the holidays.  It doesn’t have to be anything big or expensive, just a small little gesture of appreciation. 

★ Baking some Christmas cookies. It’s part of the holiday season for me and everyone deserves some damn Christmas cookies if you ask me. If you need some cookie inspiration, you should look at my last post.

★ Decorate our tree. We only have a small (fake) tree, but I’ve come to love it.  It might be my favorite holiday decoration. 

★ Making some donations for a good cause. I always try to do this every year and I do have money set aside in my budget for this. It’s a small gesture with a huge impact on the less fortunate.

★ Watch Christmas movies. I am a total sucker for family drama Christmas movies and I have a bunch of must-watch movies that I watch every year. There is a relatively new one (from 2015) that I haven’t seen – “Love the Coopers” with Diane Keaton and John Goodman that I am looking forward to watching this year!

★ Stroll around the neighborhoods to see the Christmas lights +  decorations. It’s always so much fun! Do you decorate your house?

 

Things I am not-so-much looking forward to this month:

★ How fast this month, no doubt, will be over. Good times always fly by way too fast.

★  Not spending Christmas with my family. I hate not being around my niece and nephew on Christmas Eve. Kids just appreciate Christmas in a whole different way and not being with my family makes Christmas feels a little less like Christmas, but we’re trying to make it as cozy as possible around here and will also see some friends for the holidays.

★  Not visiting the Christmas markets with family and friends. Walking around in freezing temperatures, hopefully on a thin blanket of snow, and then gathering around a Glühwein stand while our fingers and toes are slowly revived by one (or multiple) steamy, hot beverage(s), I mean, THAT really is what Christmas is all about, am I right?

What’s on your ‘to-do’ (and ‘to-enjoy’!) list the next two weeks?

I also survived NaBloPoMo (which is surprising and not surprising, considering that I’ve been doing it for so many years). If you followed along every single day, kudos to you for sticking by me. Here’s a little recap of what was going on in my world this month, if you missed a couple of my posts and would like to check them out.

1: Hello November. It’s NaBloPoMo. 
2: Thinking Out Loud #10
3: Five things you might not know about me
4: What I read in October
5: Recipe | Thai Salad with Coconut-Curry Dressing
6: Zion National Park | Emerald Pools and Canyon Overlook Trail
7: What I bought at Trader Joe’s – Vol. 6
8: A Day in the Life
9: Thinking Out Loud #11
10: Expat/Immigrant Q&A’s
11: Letters to the universe
12: Recipe | One pan gnocchi with Italian turkey sausage and kale
13: Zion National Park | Angel’s Landing
14: TotR | Runner’s gift list
15: November Link Love
16: Secret Santa Mug Swap 2017
17: Five reasons to be thankful for running
18: Shows I am currently watching
19: Recipe | Light and creamy turkey-tortellini soup
20: Things you wouldn’t know: More German Idioms
21: Bryce Canyon National Park, UT
22: Currently | November
23: Things I am {thankful for} Thursdays
24: Friday Five | Runfessions Thanksgiving Style
25: Pet peeves
26: Recipe | Turkey Sweet Potato Burrito Bowl
27: Our Thanksgiving
28: Christmas Card Roll Call
29: November Favorites
30: 2017 Holiday Cookie Swap

Don’t forget to sign up for my holiday card exchange if you haven’t already!!